what causes my BMW 3 Series to shake when braking

Solution

1. Preparation

• Gather necessary tools and parts.
• Park the vehicle on a flat surface and engage the parking brake.
• Use wheel chocks to prevent movement.

2. Remove Wheel

• Use a lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts before lifting the vehicle.
• Lift the vehicle with a jack and secure it on jack stands.
• Completely remove the lug nuts and take off the wheel.

3. Inspect and Replace Brake Components

• Brake Rotor:
  • Check for warping using a runout gauge; if warped beyond specifications, replace the rotor.
  • If rotors are in good condition, clean with brake cleaner and re-install.
• Brake Pads:
  • Remove the caliper bolts using a socket set and lift the caliper away from the rotor.
  • Inspect pads for wear; if less than 3mm thick, replace with new pads.
  • Reinstall caliper and torque bolts to manufacturer specifications.

4. Inspect Suspension Components

• Visually inspect all suspension parts for wear or damage.
• Replace any worn bushings, ball joints, or tie rods as necessary.

5. Reinstall Wheel and Lower Vehicle

• Reinstall the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle off the jack stands.
• Torque the lug nuts to the specified value (usually around 80-100 ft-lbs for BMW).